[Greens-Media] Vigilante MLAs?

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey MEDIA RELEASE
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19 April 07


Vigilante MLAs?


ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey is asking MLA Steve Pratt why he believes he
has the right to remove artwork from public spaces, following the
revelation that a much vaunted anti-graffiti campaign saw the Liberal
MLA deface a legal and specially commissioned mural.
 
"If I took a turn against the statue of George V outside Old Parliament
House would Mr Pratt support my right to remove it?" Dr Foskey asked
today.

"Or is Mr Pratt arguing that only he has taste, or that Liberal MLAs -
by virtue of their constituency - have a responsibility to deface art
they don't understand, or that appeals to others in our community."

"Mr Pratt has made much of his commitment to our diverse, multicultural
society. He is always popping up at ethnic community events."

"It shows an appallingly self-centred view of the world if he can then
discard his nominal commitment to acceptance and diversity as soon as
there is a media stunt in the offing."
 
"In taking this action Mr Pratt has conclusively demonstrated that he is
intolerant of difference. Perhaps he has forgotten that totalitarian and
fascist regimes similarly claim the right to forcibly remove any
expressions of culture or perspective that are different from their
own."

 "Furthermore, why does Mr Pratt believe that it's OK to be so
intolerant of a local youth group.  I'd like to know what he would say
if the mural was paid for or authorised by a business association" Dr
Foskey said.


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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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